Football fans honour two brave cops killed in A66 wrong-way crash with poignant tribute at Middlesbrough FC home game

FOOTBALL fans have paid their respects to the two police officers killed in a horror wrong-way crash on the A66 last Saturday. Middlesbrough FC asked supporters to pay tribute to Pc Matthew Blades and Pc Tom Clough before their 12.30pm home game against West Bromwich Albion today. PC Clough and PC Blades’ families are understood to have been sent a letter from the King Credit: Reuters A show of support was given to the two fallen officersCredit: Refer to source The match kicked off at 12.30pm with a “show of support” for the two officers seen at 12.29pm. The King has also written to the two officers’ families to express his condolences, the Mirror reported. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Middlesbrough FC said in a statement: “Immediately before kick-off, we’re asking supporters to join us in paying respects to Pc Matthew Blades and Pc Tom Clough, the two Cleveland police officers who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty last weekend. “We are also showing our appreciation for the dedication and hard work of both men, and to Cleveland police force in protecting and supporting our local community. Pc Clough and Pc Blades were remembered at the match today Credit: PA Fans clapped ahead of kick off as tribute was paid to the two officers Credit: Shutterstock Editorial “The commitment shown by officers and staff, often in challenging and demanding circumstances, plays a vital role in keeping residents safe and helping people feel secure in their homes, neighbourhoods and local areas.” A stadium announcement ahead of the tribute said: “Middlesbrough Football Club and its supporters wish to pay their respects to PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, the two brave Cleveland Police officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.” Five young men, who were riding in the stolen VW Passat, also sadly lost their lives in the fatal collision. Cole Worthy, 17; Theo Rae, 17; Makai Saddington, 18; and 23-year-olds Michael Cahill and Jakub Matusiak had all previously been convicted of various crimes by police. Most read in The Sun Following the tragic collision Cleveland Police said its officers had been tackling alleged organised crime in Middlesbrough. Last night, the force confirmed some 24 people had been arrested in the crackdown as chaos unfolded in the area in the wake of the fatal collision. Hundreds of police officers from across Britain have been deployed to Middlesbrough in a bid to crackdown on the violence and prevent further retaliation – making a total of 24 arrests. The chaos kicked off when a home belonging to Gye Worthy, was rammed twice by a Volvo SUV in the early hours of Saturday morning last week. Minutes later, Gye’s 17-year-old son Cole and four of his friends raced through the streets in a Volkswagen Passat, allegedly pursuing the Volvo. There is no indication that Gye was involved in any criminal activity. Emergency services at the scene on the A66 in South Bank Credit: SUPPLIED The tragedy claimed the lives of seven men Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire As the Passat joined the A66 – on the wrong side of the road – cops called off the chase. But just 10 seconds later, at 3.39am, the car ploughed into another marked armed-response vehicle carrying two officers. All five occupants of the Passat and both of the officers were pronounced dead at the scene. Chaos followed and some 17 people were arrested by Tuesday in connection with the fatal smash – 14 men and three women, aged between 16 and 61. And within hours five more people were arrested, with help from the National Crime Agency and North East Regional Organised Crime Unit. The force said they were a boy aged 16, an 18-year-old and a man of 21, all on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group, a 55-year-old on suspicion of assisting an offender and a 23-year-old on suspicion of making threats to kill. In the days that followed, officers said four more men, aged 35, 25, 40 and 21, were being held on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life. The arrests relate to a vehicle crashing into a house in Steele Crescent, Middlesbrough, on Thursday morning. They were also being questioned over alleged arson after a caravan was set alight in Atlee Road on Wednesday morning, and a drugs offence. And, on Friday, detectives confirmed they were not linking a house fire which killed a seven-year-old girl and her aunt to the A66 crash. PC Tom Clough, a former soldier and Iraq war veteran, tragically died in the horror collision Credit: PA PC Matthew Blades’ wife paid a touching tribute to her husband Credit: Cleveland Police Natalie McDonald, 34, and her niece, Valentina Foster, died while four other people were injured in the blaze on Wednesday morning. Two men, aged 23 and 31, remain in custody on suspicion of murder after the tragic inferno. A 39-year-old man was also knifed amid the turmoil as Cleveland cops brought in reinforcements to get a lid on the chaos, all within a few miles. Amid the crackdown and flurry of arrests, three men have subsequently been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of criminal property. TIMELINE OF A TOWN’S TERROR SATURDAY 3am: Home of the dad of one of the A66 crash gang is rammed. 3.36am: Gang’s VW Passat, with cloned plates, is seen pursued by police. 3.39am: It joins the A66 in the wrong direction. Cops abort chase. Ten ­seconds later it collides head-on with a police armed response vehicle. PC Matthew Blades, PC Tom Clough and the five Passat occupants are killed. MONDAY: Police say Volvo XC60, also with cloned plates, rammed homes. They announce 12 arrests on suspicion of crimes linked to organised gangs. TUESDAY: Police arrest five more people, including a 16-year-old boy. Two men are charged with various offences while a third is recalled to prison. WEDNESDAY 5.23am: Huge fire at a property in Grangetown. People seen leaping from upstairs windows 11.54am: Murder probe announced after fire deaths of Valentina Foster, seven, and her aunt Natalie McDonald, 34. 5.25pm: Police announce two men arrested on suspicion of murder. THURSDAY 0.34am: 4×4 in ramming incident near where Valentina died. 3pm: Armed police surround a house after a man suffers serious knife injuries. 4.30pm: Council leader reveals 200 extra cops are being drafted in. The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Cleveland Matt Storey said: “My thoughts remain with the family, friends and colleagues of Pc Matthew Blades and Pc Tom Clough. “They will be remembered as selfless, professional and courageous police officers, dedicated to serving their communities. “I also offer my sincere condolences to everyone affected by the horrific fire in Grangetown, which sadly resulted in the deaths of two people. “I have reiterated my request for a better, long-term, funding deal to enhance Cleveland’s response to serious and organised crime. “People in Cleveland have the right to live without the fear of crime and I understand the concern, anger and grief recent events have caused. “I want to assure them that I will continue to fight for the funding needed to improve Cleveland Police’s ability to prevent crime, bring offenders to justice and keep our communities safe.”